Black Philanthropy Initiative
Launched in 2007, the Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) serves as a model for rethinking philanthropy in Forsyth County’s black community. Through engagement and encouragement, BPI educates people to utilize their philanthropic strengths of time, talent, and treasure to impact meaningful change and address identified needs in the black community.
Leadership
The Black Philanthropy Initiative is led by a group of community volunteers who acknowledge the traditions of sharing in the black community and seek to expand charitable giving through education and impact.
advisory committee
- Roger Hyman
Chair - Melvin Scales
Vice Chair - Michael Frye
Secretary - Leroy Davis
Treasurer - Takeisha Redd
Chair, Governance - Nicole Gentles
Chair, Marketing - Mae Rodney
Chair, Resource Development - Artina Dawkins
Member-at-Large - Robin Barksdale Ervin
- Shawan Gabriel
- Robert Leak, III
- Leslie Sadler
- Corlis Sellers-Drummond
- Gregory Turner
- Carrie Woods
Grants
BPI’s grantmaking has a primary focus of Advancing Racial Equity in Education and seeks to support proposals that address outcome gaps in the education-to-career continuum within the following focus areas: post-secondary education pathways; talent & workforce development; career advancement; and economic security & mobility.
BPI’s next grant cycle will open in April 2020.
2019 Grant Recipients
- Crosby Scholars - $5,000 to pilot an investment club for 25 students participating in the African American Males Pursuing Educational Dreams (AAMPED) program
- John F. Kennedy High School - $5,000 to provide college tours for 30 11th grade students
- Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy - $5,000 to provide college tours to local colleges and universities
- Winston-Salem Urban League - $5,000 to seed a small business mini-grant fund for minority-owned businesses
- Winston-Salem Urban League - $5,000 to fund college tours for youth participating in a summer employment program
